Last year's peak wait for entry was 9 hours. Most people didn't have that long a wait, thank goodness, but that's the extreme end. Set your expectation for it to be on the long side, and then be elated if it's shorter than you think.

A pee jug wouldn't be bad, though there will be 56 porta-potties located at a few points along the line.

I had waits of about 6 hours last year arriving on Monday afternoon around 2pm. Anecdotally my friends who'd arrived Sunday night fared a little better. But there's really no way to predict when the peaks are going to hit.

Here is a picture of the entry after the hours wait on the road, leaving Reno just after midnight. Line of vehicles stretching onto the dark playa and the parking-lot style wait prior to reaching the gate. With the wait, even showing up Sunday night, the morning sun might be there to light your camp set-up.

The Line (Custom).jpg

Monday Morning (Custom).jpg

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develdevil wrote:Is there a more official note on wait times? If I show up at 3pm on Sunday, how long should I expect the line to be, knowing that I have another 3 hours before it opens?

DO NOT SHOW UP BEFORE THE GATE OPENS. You will be sent to D lot.

DO NOT PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY waiting for the appropriate time. That is a huge safety hazard and you're likely to get stuck in the soft shoulders, delaying yourself and everyone else more.

Please read the survival guide.

When he lights his streetlamp, it is as if he brought one more star to life, or one flower.When he puts out his lamp, he sends the flower, or the star, to sleep.That is a beautiful occupation.

Also: There can't be an "official" word on entry times. It's subject to too many variables, including accidents on 80 and 447. And people will come in on their own schedules, which will be effected by packing and gassing and collecting food in Reno and who knows what else. None of that is under the llc's control. You gets your ticket and you takes your chances. Think of it as a metaphor for the uncertainty of the burn--or even life.

Last edited by theCryptofishist on Sun Jul 29, 2012 6:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

Loud and clear. I was just curious how it worked. If I plan to show up at 6:01pm, does this mean I will be the first one through the gate? I know there are no early arrivals, but I just figured there would be a queue of people anyways.